A local business association organized a networking event for small business owners

A retail store announced it would extend its opening hours during the holiday shopping seasonA severe hailstorm damaged cars and roofs in several neighborhoods across the city

A study found that reading fiction can improve empathy and understanding of othersThe government announced plans to upgrade public libraries with new technology and resourcesA museum acquired a valuable painting by a 19th-century artist for its permanent collection

A local farm began selling fresh produce directly to consumers through a community-supported agriculture programEngineers designed a new type of wind turbine that is quieter and more efficient than older models

The postal service introduced a new package tracking system to give customers real-time updates

A celebrity chef published a new cookbook featuring easy-to-make recipes for busy familiesA famous actor announced they will star in a new film based on a best-selling novel set to start filming next month

The national soccer team qualified for the World Cup after winning their final qualifying match against a rivalFirefighters contained a large-scale wildfire in the western region after five days of effort

A new study showed teen social media use decreased by 8% in the past year with more time spent on outdoor activitiesA multinational company said it will relocate its headquarters to a smaller city to cut costs and support local economies

(责任编辑：Business Bits)

• ·A large retail company said it will phase out single-use plastics in all its stores by the end of 2025
• ·A bookstore hosted a poetry night with local poets
• ·A school introduced a program to teach students about financial literacy to prepare them for adulthood
• ·A city started a composting program for residents that turns food waste into garden fertilizer
• ·A major bank launched a new mobile banking app with advanced security features to protect users’ financial data
• ·Local schools added environmental science classes to their middle school curriculum
• ·A bakery introduced a low-sugar cookie that was popular with health-conscious customers
• ·Researchers found that playing board games improves social skills in young children
• ·A software company announced it will allow employees to work from any location worldwide
• ·A musician performed at a benefit concert that raised $20,000 for disaster relief
• ·A local newspaper printed a local history section
• ·The city introduced a parking app that offers discounts for carpoolers
• ·A new virtual reality (VR) headset was released that weighs 50% less than previous models reducing user fatigue
• ·A toy company released a line of educational toys designed to teach young children math skills
• ·A strong thunderstorm knocked down trees and caused power outages in three counties
• ·A music festival announced it will offer free tickets to volunteers who help with cleanup